Limbic Reward System

1
Limbic Reward System
SIGMA-ALDRICH
2
Limbic Reward Circuit This diagram represents a
sagittal section of the rat brain. Highlighted
are the nuclei representing the limbic structures
of the basal forebrain including the amygdala,
hippocampus, prefrontal cortex (PFC), nucleus
accumbens (N. Acc.), ventral pallidum (VP) and
ventral tegmental area (VTA). Dopaminergic
neurons in the VTA modulate information flow
through the limbic circuit via projections to the
nucleus accumbens, amygdala, hippocampus, PFC and
VP. Increased dopaminergic transmission in limbic
nuclei, particularly the nucleus accumbens,
underlies the reinforcing effect of virtually
every abused drug. Note that psychostimulants
increase dopaminergic transmission in areas
receiving projections from the VTA via
interactions with dopamine transporters.